Dick Vermeil with a bottle of his Jean Louis Vermeil Cabernet Sauvingnon.

Dick Vermeil with a bottle of his Jean Louis Vermeil Cabernet Sauvingnon.

Photo: Vermeil Winery

Don't go broke looking for a good drink

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Our first tasting of the New Year delivered the goods for bargain-priced wines. You can splurge if you'd like elsewhere, but none of the featured picks requires an investment of more than $20. Unless otherwise stated, the price listed is what Spec's charges for a cash purchase and bottles were on the shelf at the Midtown store at press time. But that doesn't mean you won't find the wines elsewhere around town, or by ordering directly from the winery.

The new Nos Caves Vin at 835 Frostwood in the Memorial area is offering pre-opening pricing until February. For more information or to schedule a tour, contact Kate Bourne at 713-205-7246 kate@noscavesvin.com

Our tasters: Gave it a unanimous recommendation with three scores of 9 or higher. "Smoky and tannic with mint, cherry and spices."

My score: 9. There's a little merlot and a tiny bit of syrah in the blend with the fruit coming from three prime Columbia Valley Vineyards. Surprisingly Old World in character despite the soft tannins, this wonderfully balanced wine spends 33 months in French oak. Alcohol 13.9 percent.

Buy it: $19.94

2011 Decoy Sauvignon Blanc

Overall Score: (9 for quality, 10 for value)

Our tasters: Gave it a unanimous recommendation with two scores of 9.2. "Bright and clean, with herbal and floral notes."

My score: 9.2. "The Duck" has become my personal go-to for sauvignon blanc, so I wasn't surprised it emerged as one of the stars of our tasting. From Sonoma County, it's got all the components - without too much of any of them - we should get from the varietal. Both the juice and the price go down very easily. Alcohol: 13.5 percent.

Buy it: $16.09

2010 Mondavi Private Selection Cabernet Sauvignon

Overall Score: 18.8 (8.8 for quality, 10 for value)

Our tasters: Gave it a unanimous recommendation with two scores of 9. "A round wine with nice blackberry fruit. Satisfying finish."

My score: 8.8. A blend of Central Coast fruit, it's a consistent winner and proof, not that we need any, that blind tastings are the truth, the light and the way. Mondavi would probably prefer I not mention this, but the 2009 Napa Valley Reserve Cab, also unanimously touted, scored an 8.9 and it's $100-plus. Alcohol: 13.5 percent.

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